Bluebird TC2000 - good bus?

[brokedown]

Yep the 8.3 was an option in the RE but every FE bus has the 5.9 .

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Spencer

Hello! This subject is still very new to me, so please forgive the newb question:
Once a skoolie has been converted, with all the interior cabinetry installed and possessions loaded etc etc would that 5.9 engine still work well?

What if major modifications were made, such as a roof raise and maybe a roof deck?

Depends. How high is the rating of the 5.9 in question? What transmission and gearing.

The 5.9 is a great engine, but a 190 hp version with a 545 is not going to be a fun machine to drive long distances if loaded down in a 40 footer.

I'd take a bus with a 230hp 5.9 and 3060 trans any day!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by brokedown

Yep the 8.3 was an option in the RE but every FE bus has the 5.9 .

One bus I bid on when I bought the Ward was a 1993 BBAA and it was a FE with 8.3.

[brokedown]

The BBAA and the TC2000 are similar looking but otherwise very different beasts!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by brokedown

The BBAA and the TC2000 are similar looking but otherwise very different beasts!

Yeah, but BB did build FE's with 8.3's.

So are you saying the TC had NO option for FE with 8.3? Seems like they'd gladly sell you anything they have in their parts bin.
But yeah the TC was Bluebird's cheaper economy model so I'd imagine the 5.9 was a natural since it was their entry level engine.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Depends. How high is the rating of the 5.9 in question? What transmission and gearing.

The 5.9 is a great engine, but a 190 hp version with a 545 is not going to be a fun machine to drive long distances if loaded down in a 40 footer.

I'd take a bus with a 230hp 5.9 and 3060 trans any day!

Amazing how opinions change when you are using internet info as your yardstick and then when you actually own one they are better than sliced white.
Shows how dangerous the internet is.

[brokedown]

The TC2000 FE was only produced with the 5.9 and a short lived 427 gas engine. The 5.9 was the base engine for the RE but almost all of them will have the 8.3. You can look at any TC2000 and if it has a back door, it has a 5.9.

There were a lot more options available with the BBAA.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Amazing how opinions change when you are using internet info as your yardstick and then when you actually own one they are better than sliced white.
Shows how dangerous the internet is.

Dude what are you on about now?

I've got a big bus with a 5.9 sitting out at the "bus yard" right now.

I have my opinions- you have yours. Its not a contest or an argument.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by brokedown

The TC2000 FE was only produced with the 5.9 and a short lived 427 gas engine. The 5.9 was the base engine for the RE but almost all of them will have the 8.3. You can look at any TC2000 and if it has a back door, it has a 5.9.

There were a lot more options available with the BBAA.

I see.
Learn something new every day. I love the internet!

[brokedown]

I've spent more than a reasonable amount of time learning about the TC2000! I still haven't found my cold start aid though.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Dude what are you on about now?

I've got a big bus with a 5.9 sitting out at the "bus yard" right now.

I have my opinions- you have yours. Its not a contest or an argument.

You were one of the ones I kept hearing about how undesirable the 5.9 was when I first got here.

[brokedown]

The 5.9 isn't the desirable engine for a 40 footer, i don't think there's any real debate to be had there. It's grand in a short bus and thus far it seems adequate in a 32 foot bus but I don't have any problem saying I'd want something bigger above that!

Same with the T444E. After a lap of the US in my short bus I feel like I'm well educated in this one.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by o1marc

You were one of the ones I kept hearing about how undesirable the 5.9 was when I first got here.

I've been ACCUSED of hating on the 5.9 but never actually HAVE hated on it.
Is it the BEST? Absolutely not. But ANY decent engine with a decent hp/tq rating can do the job. Gearing and transmission matter much more.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by brokedown

The TC2000 FE was only produced with the 5.9 and a short lived 427 gas engine. The 5.9 was the base engine for the RE but almost all of them will have the 8.3. You can look at any TC2000 and if it has a back door, it has a 5.9.

There were a lot more options available with the BBAA.

That is my understanding as well. Reading the Wikipedia page and talking to the local Bluebird dealer confirm.

[golfersmurf57]

Let me add my 2 cents or no sense. I'm converting a TC 2000RE (1992) and (walked off) its a 50' bumper to bumper. Its a 5.9 has about 200k on it. Even with the metal seats still in it it would make 70mph on level ground and figuring after build will be lighter. I am curious as to whether the 8.3 would be a bolt in.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by golfersmurf57

Let me add my 2 cents or no sense. I'm converting a TC 2000RE (1992) and (walked off) its a 50' bumper to bumper. Its a 5.9 has about 200k on it. Even with the metal seats still in it it would make 70mph on level ground and figuring after build will be lighter. I am curious as to whether the 8.3 would be a bolt in.

You sure, man?
Who did the measuring?
I've NEVER ever heard of a 50 foot school bus.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

You sure, man?
Who did the measuring?
I've NEVER ever heard of a 50 foot school bus.

Because they never made one.
must be Canadian feet.

Wait, I understand it now and he is correct. He "walked" it off at 50'. He has a size 6 shoe.

[miked73fl]

I am curious how many miles you did with your 5.9 tc2000
I am looking to buy one with 240k on it
I just want to have something to last 2yrs and another 50k total

Thanks for your help

[La Camioneta]

Originally Posted by miked73fl

I am curious how many miles you did with your 5.9 tc2000
I am looking to buy one with 240k on it
I just want to have something to last 2yrs and another 50k total

Thanks for your help

My 1994 12v 5.9 has 155k. Used no oil over the last 5000 miles from Georgia to Guatamala and back.

In stock bus trim with a 545 transmission its no barn burner. Swap in an Allison 5 speed. That'll increase your grins per mile a lot.

With a few cheap mods its a monster. KDP kit, 3k GSK, bump timing to 16•, wire wastegate shut, adding boost/egt gauges helps a lot.

I pulled the fuel plate last week and man oh man did she turn into a speeding ticket waiting to happen. Ultimately it needs a turbo swap to drop EGTs to pull long grades at interstate speed but you might get away with using the most aggressive fuel plate to limit fueling though you're leaving some performance on the table.
Permagrin almost achieved, just need a little flat section on the interstate to hustle past the semis.

Made a 130 mile round trip Sat/Sun to see some friends and I had to watch myself to stay around 65 mph.

Don't be afraid of a 5.9, theres an easy 100 hp more to be found for cheap with no fueling system upgrades. You can easily keep up with car traffic.